Supporting Candidates
During the 2010 local body elections we asked candidates whether they supported and would advocate that a Hamilton to Auckland passenger rail service should start within the next 18 months, on a trial basis if necessary; that the areas, cities and towns that will benefit from the service should contribute to the cost through council rates; and that the Government should provide funding for the service at the same proportional level as it spends on rail in Auckland and Wellington.
The following councillors stated their support.
Peter
Buckley – Chairperson (Mayor) and Councillor for North
Waikato-Hauraki
"The
Waikato Region needs an integrated transport system that will
contribute to our economic prosperity. I will encourage the
Regional Transport Committee to consider passenger transport
opportunities that will enhance the livelihood, safety and
environment of our residents whilst not creating an unsustainable
rates burden. I applaud the Campaign for Better Transport on
ensuring that a passenger rail service between Hamilton and Auckland
must be one of the options to be further explored."
Lois Livingston – Councillor Hamilton City Ward
"Hamilton is the fourth largest city in New Zealand and the closest to Auckland and it is imperative that we work together to reinstate passenger rail services between our two cities. Rail is our future not our past and with the oil crisis we need to get serious about alternatives to the motor car. Our lobby to central government will be even stronger with Auckland standing alongside us. While it is essential to push for a significant trial as soon as possible and tying this to the Rugby World Cup in 2011 would be a great starting point, we also need to continue the lobby for the electrification of the line from Te Rapa right through to Britomart. The new "supercity" of Auckland will soon show us where the support is and we need to enter into discussions as soon as possible with the transport arm of this new entity. The Regional Land Transport Committee of Environment Waikato - the regional council should be the conduit for this and if elected to the regional council I will work with the Campaign for Better Transport, the Regional Land Transport Committee, our local MPs and other agencies to get our passenger rail services back on track. "
Paula Southgate - Councillor Hamilton City Ward
"I
support integrated passenger transport solutions for a growing
region.
I have been a strong advocate for better bus services.
These have gone from 1.2m passengers per year in 2002 to 4.8million
today. This has cost the ratepayer but brought huge benefits to the
city. Passenger rail definitely plays a part in the further
development of passenger transport. There are challenges in funding
this, as the Government has capped all passenger transport funding
and, has previously indicated that passenger rail funding is likely.
I will strongly advocate for increased government funding for
Passenger Transport. Any future service must be efficient and
affordable. I am happy to work collaboratively with community
representatives and stakeholders to develop this opportunity."
Norm Barker – Councillor South Waikato – Rotorua
Russ
Rimmington – Councillor Waipa - King Country
Julie
Hardaker – Mayor
"A
passenger rail service between Hamilton and Auckland provides an
efficient and sustainable transport option. There are many
business and family connections between Hamilton and Auckland and a
train service will bring those connections closer and more
accessible. Rail travel is the transport option for the future."
Daphne
Bell – Councillor Hamilton East Ward.
"I
know that if this service does not happen, in years to come people
will quite rightly ask us – the politicians of the day - why not?
If we could learn from elsewhere in the world we would see that a
passenger rail link to the largest city in the country will benefit
the region. As chair of the HCC Passenger Transport committee, I know
better than most the obstacles involved. We need to press
central and regional government to support a trial service. The
time has come!"
Gordon
Chesterman -
Councillor
Hamilton East Ward.
"This
is not just an issue where I've jumped on the bandwagon for some
votes for the upcoming election. As a member of the transport
committee of council I have taken a consistent position over the last
three years by supporting chair Dave Macpherson's stance on rail. My
support is for a trial, a minimum of a year at least but probably 18
months. We have made some brilliant gains with growing bus use over
the last three years (record levels) and this is a clear signal that
public transport's time has come. Rail is a piece of the jigsaw
puzzle."
Martin Gallagher - Councillor Hamilton West Ward.
"As a former MP I worked with Council and Government to help start scoping a proposed passenger rail service between Auckland and Hamilton, including a close study of the Wellington – Palmerston North service as a possible model. More latterly, I made an individual submission to Environment Waikato regarding the proposed service. Passenger rail should be seen as part of the ongoing upgrade of the major transport arteries between Hamilton, Auckland and Tauranga. Hamilton must be a key transport hub. In these tough economic times we must of course seek approval from ratepayers should the service result in additional costs to them. It is important for us to work positively and constructively with Central Government, including our MPs and of course the new Auckland Super City Council to bring this about."
Angela
O’Leary – Councillor Hamilton West Ward
"I
think it is fantastic that CBT is so obviously passionate about
achieving better transport for the Waikato. I was born in
Wellington so I grew up on trains and could share many wonderful
memories. That aside I will support and advocate for a rail
service from Hamilton to Auckland and I have my own ideas on the
tourism aspect of such a service as well that I would like to pursue
in the future. I am happy to support the Vote Trains Manifesto
in principle so long as any service is efficient and cost effective
for rate payers. Keep up the great work CBT – this is
democracy at its best!"
Dave
Macpherson - Councillor Hamilton West Ward
“The
Hamilton-Auckland passenger train service is an idea whose time has
not only come, it’s overdue! If the Waikato and the NZ Government
want their region and their country to be regarded as part of the
modern, sustainable and economically viable world they will invest in
getting this service up and running. The Hamilton City Council has
earmarked its share of investment for this, and calls on Environment
Waikato (Regional Council), the Waikato District Council, and the
Govt’s NZ Transport Agency to all come to the party with u, and to
do it within the next 18 months."
Maria
Westphal - Councillor Hamilton West Ward
“As
a member of the Passenger Transport committee for the last three
years I have been actively involved in the campaign to establish the
rail link between Auckland and Hamilton. Hamilton is a
progressive city which has experienced phenomenal increases in
passenger numbers using bus services in the last 6 years. We
can do the same with the train service. This is logically a missing
link in our integrated transport system.”
Ewan Wilson - candidate for Hamilton City Council - West Ward
"The
great cities of the world are measured by the efficiency of their
public transportation systems. With the Hamilton Auckland corridor
being a central part of the country's economy the lack of an
efficient train service must be addressed. The clear economic
benefits that would flow as a result of such a service are in my
opinion invaluable, from providing a link for Hamiltonians to get to
Auckland but more importantly bringing Aucklanders and tourists to
Hamilton for events. The commuter train link in my opinion
should be up for the Rugby World Cup in 2011. Most people visiting
NZ for this event are public transport savvy and would be astonished
at the lack of a fundamental commuter link. The fact that it
would also get people out of their cars and embracing a more
sustainable mode of transport is "priceless".
Allan
Sanson - Mayor
"I am fully supportive of a passenger rail
service between Hamilton and Auckland. This is a service that is long
overdue being provided in this region. It is essential that we
provide a clean, comfortable service aboard an appropriate train and
I am convinced it will be well patronised. If elected as the next
Mayor of Waikato District Council I give an undertaking and
commitment to pursue this matter for the District by working towards
securing a funding formula with Environment Waikato and the
Government so as to provide a Passenger rail service.
There is an opportunity with this train starting in Hamilton to have stops at Ngaruawahia, Huntly, Te Kauwhata and Tuakau. At the initial stages it would be unreasonable to provide any additional stops as this would add too much travel time between Hamilton and downtown Auckland. The service must be able to leave Hamilton and arrive in downtown Auckland within two hours to encourage people to use it. After consultation with the ratepayers in May/June 2011, if the support is still there for a targeted rate I am sure that we could implement a two year trial period starting approximately around October 2011."
Clint
Baddeley - Waikato District Councillor
"I support
the integration of train services between Hamilton and Auckland and
return including provision for people to join the train along the
way, to achieve this the Government and Local Government need to work
together, if elected I will advocate for this service. Train services
makes environmental and economic sense for our Communities.
Lionel
Petersen - Waikato District Councillor
“The
Tuakau community is isolated unless you have a car. Our young
need “Hope” for the future. “Hope” comes from
access to jobs and higher educational opportunities. Hope
provides the opportunity to make a life for themselves - without a
car. Many of our older people don't drive and trains will set them
free too. Trains provide our people with that “Hope”, they enable
our people to access sport, recreation, jobs, tech, uni, movies and
Middlemore. Trains enable our school leavers to get started on
building their future without leaving home. Trains will change Tuakau
from a distant place to being a part of the wider world. Trains also
mean that our people won’t leave to find the opportunities they
seek. I support Vote Trains because Tuakau must support its
neighbours because together we can bring the trains back to our
towns."
Jan
Sedgwick - Waikato District Councillor
"Traditionally
Auckland and Waikato have been slow in adopting public transport;
whether road or rail. The Palmerston North to Wellington
service is a great example of how it can work and with the advent of
Britomart in Auckland coupled with an improved rail network
throughout the city, commuter transport is becoming increasingly
attractive. Almost everyone uses public transport when travelling
overseas. What makes it work? And why don't we embrace it with the
same enthusiasm at home? The connectivity and reliability of service,
seamless ticketing, efficient use of time and trains of a high
standard all contribute to the good commuter rail experience. I'd
like to see regular Waikato commuter trains as a viable option for
people to minimise their carbon footprint when travelling to Auckland
or Hamilton. Stops at townships like Te Kauwhata will also provide a
practical alternative and a safer, more environmentally sound travel
option. I am happy to support commuter trains and I urge voters to
support those who do."
Graeme Tait –Waikato District Councillor
